Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 15: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against independent journalist Rosy and others following a complaint by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who alleged caste-based insults, intimidation, obstruction of official duty and defamation during a protest in the national capital on October 3.
According to the FIR registered at Parliament Street police station, Bhagat, posted in the Connaught Place subdivision of New Delhi district, was on law-and-order duty during a protest against the Election Commission of India near Buta Singh Roundabout, close to Jantar Mantar.
In his complaint, Bhagat alleged that the journalist made derogatory remarks about his caste identity and questioned his appointment as an ACP. He stated that he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and that he and his operator, Constable Ravi Dahiya, heard the remarks in public.
The complaint alleges that the journalist made caste-related comments referring to Bhagat’s Megh/Mehgwal caste and his nameplate. Bhagat said he initially ignored the remarks and continued with his official duties.
He further alleged that around 3 pm, while facilitating the movement of a bus carrying detained protesters, the journalist accused him of sexually assaulting her. According to the FIR, the journalist and her colleagues repeatedly confronted him, allegedly obstructing him from performing his official responsibilities.
The complaint states that the confrontation continued later in the day, with the journalist, Gajender Singh and others allegedly staging a protest outside Parliament Street police station around 6.15 pm. Bhagat alleged that the protesters raised slogans against him and publicly described him as a “sexual predator” and a potential rapist.
Bhagat also alleged that posts and reels containing accusations against him were circulated on social media platforms X and Instagram. The complaint names Rosy, Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das and Ratna Singh among those allegedly involved in sharing the content.
The ACP claimed that the posts portrayed him as a sexual predator, causing mental distress and damaging his reputation. He sought action under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 221, 356(2) and 3(5) of the BNS, relating to obstruction of a public servant in the discharge of public functions, defamation and common intention. It also invokes Sections 3(1)(p), 3(1)(q), 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
According to the FIR, a prima facie case was found to be made out under the cited provisions. Further investigation into Bhagat’s allegations was assigned to ACP Ajay Sharma of Parliament Street police station on the directions of senior officers.
Meanwhile, the journalist has filed a separate complaint accusing Bhagat of sexual assault. According to report, her complaint was transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch and was under enquiry.
The allegations made by both sides have not been established in court, and further investigation is underway.